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Amex Gold vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is ideal for food and travel enthusiasts who spend heavily on dining at restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and on flights. (See Rates & Fees)
- Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is best for earning simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without needing to track spending categories.
American Express® Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a top choice for foodies and travelers alike.
- It offers generous rewards on everyday spending, including at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets. Terms Apply.
- You'll receive monthly credits for dining and Uber to use on eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Membership Rewards® points are flexible and can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. Terms Apply.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- Excellent rewards structure for food-related spending, covering both restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets. Terms Apply.
- Annual statement credits for select dining and Uber usage can help offset the annual fee. Terms Apply.
- Membership Rewards® points offer flexible redemption, including high-value transfers to airline and hotel partners, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.
Cons
- A notable annual fee.
- Annual credits are distributed in monthly increments, which can be difficult to maximize. Terms Apply.
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard, and some benefits require enrollment. Terms Apply.
Citi Double Cash® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's break down the key reasons this card earns our recommendation.
- It offers a straightforward and high flat-rate cash back on all purchases, with no categories to track.
- It provides a generous introductory period for balance transfers, making it a powerful tool for consolidating debt.
- With no annual fee, all the rewards you earn are pure value back in your pocket.
Pros
- Offers a simple, high flat-rate cash back on all purchases, rewarding you for both spending and paying your bill on time.
- Provides a long introductory 0% APR period on balance transfers, giving you ample time to pay down existing debt.
- Features flexible reward redemption options and has no annual fee, making it a valuable and cost-effective card to keep long-term.
Cons
- Charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for international travel, and also has a balance transfer fee.
- New purchases do not come with an introductory 0% APR period, meaning interest will accrue if you carry a balance.
- Lacks premium cardholder perks like travel protections and does not offer bonus categories for accelerated rewards.
Citi Double Cash® vs American Express® Gold Card
Categories
When considering which is better, Amex Gold or Citi Double Cash, the answer comes down to your personal spending habits and what you value in a credit card.
- American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card best suited for frequent travelers and foodies who spend heavily on dining and flights.
- Citi Double Cash® Card is ideal for individuals seeking a simple flat-rate cash back card or those who need to consolidate debt with a balance transfer offer.
Redemption
American Express® Gold Card: Rewards are earned as Membership Rewards points, which offer flexible redemption options, particularly for travel. You can transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel directly through American Express.
Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards on your purchases. You can redeem your earnings as a statement credit, direct deposit, or a check.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Gold Card:
- Travel Portal & Partners: Cardholders can book travel through the American Express portal and get significant value by transferring points to a wide network of airline and hotel loyalty programs. Terms Apply.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Does not have foreign transaction fees.
- Lounge Access: Does not include complimentary airport lounge access.
- Other Perks: Offers a credit for qualifying hotel stays booked via The Hotel Collection. Terms Apply.
- Citi Double Cash® Card:
- Travel Portal & Partners: Provides access to the Citi travel portal but lacks the robust transfer partner options found with premium travel cards.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Lounge Access: Does not offer airport lounge access.
- Other Perks: As a cash back card, it does not come with notable travel-specific perks or credits.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos lets you compare and test drive nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history, without a hard credit pull or commitment.
- Get detailed approval odds: Understand your chances of getting approved for different cards based on an analysis of your credit report.
- Track welcome offers: Monitor your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
- Earn extra rewards: Stack rewards on top of your credit card earnings with Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for foodies and frequent travelers who want to earn premium rewards on their everyday spending. This card is ideal for those who spend heavily on dining out at restaurants worldwide and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, as it offers 4X points in both categories, with the supermarket rewards capped at $25,000 per calendar year before dropping to 1X. Additionally, it suits individuals who can take full advantage of the up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash to help offset the annual fee, making it a valuable tool for maximizing returns on both meals and travel.
Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?
The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who prioritize straightforward value and simplicity in their credit card rewards. It's particularly well-suited for individuals looking to consolidate and pay down existing high-interest debt, thanks to its lengthy 18-month 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is ideal for the everyday spender who wants to earn a consistent, high rate of cash back on all purchases without tracking bonus categories or paying an annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
So, the American Express® Gold Card vs. Citi Double Cash® Card comparison didn't point you to a clear winner? Not to worry—there are plenty of other excellent cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and financial goals.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
- Review the card’s benefits - Ensure the rewards and credits align with your regular spending habits.
Application Strategy
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
- Align your application with specific goals, such as consolidating debt with the Citi Double Cash® Card or choosing a preferred card design.
- Use tools to find the best available offer, and remember you can often decline a low one without a hard credit inquiry.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Express® Gold Card a charge card or a credit card?
The American Express® Gold Card is a charge card, which traditionally required you to pay your balance in full each month. However, it now includes a Pay Over Time feature, allowing you to carry a balance on eligible charges, which makes it function much like a standard credit card.
What's the difference between cash back and points?
Cash back, like that earned with the Citi® Double Cash Card, provides a direct statement credit or deposit with a fixed value. Points, such as American Express Membership Rewards®, can be redeemed for travel or other rewards, and their value can vary greatly depending on how you use them.
Which card is better if I'm new to credit card rewards?
For beginners, the Citi® Double Cash Card is often a better starting point due to its simple cash back structure and lack of an annual fee. The American Express® Gold Card is better suited for those with some experience who can maximize its various credits and benefits to offset its annual fee.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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